MANILA - Dagupan City has recorded this year's highest heat index so far, which measures human discomfort based on the actual temperature felt by the body, state weather bureau PAGASA said Wednesday.

The city, which lies north of the capital, logged a heat index of 51 degrees Celsius at 2 p.m. Tuesday. This is the country's highest heat index for 2020 so far, said Jose Estrada Jr, chief weather observer of PAGASA-Dagupan.

PAGASA earlier warned that a heat index between 41 and 54 degrees Celsius is categorized under "danger," and may cause heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Heat stroke is also probable with continued activity, it said.

The weather agency on Wednesday also tallied the following heat index.

Cavite City, 49 °C
Tanauan City in Batangas,48 °C
Muñoz in Nueva Ecija, 46 °C
Iba in Zambales, 45 °C

Temperatures across the country can range from 36 to 38 °C in the next few days, which thunderstorms could dampen in the late afternoon or evening, said PAGASA-Dagupan's Estrada.

To cope with the hot weather, people should drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., said Dr. Anna De Guzman of the Pangasinan provincial health office.

PAGASA also advised the public to stay indoors and on the lowest floors as much as possible, wear light clothes, and avoid eating food high in protein which can increase body heat.